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Cardiff City are in the hat for the fourth round of the FA Cup thanks to a stunning solo goal from Cian Ashford at Sheffield United.

Ashford was the standout performer on the night and his first-half strike was enough to separate the two sides and serves to continue building this slow momentum for Omer Riza's side, who are now four games unbeaten in all competitions.

This was an FA Cup tie between two teams at opposing ends of the Championship. Although it beggars belief that 20 places separate these two in the league standings on this showing, because Cardiff - and a much-changed Cardiff at that - were good value for their win.

You almost park the league when cup days roll around, but Omer Riza will certainly hope this acts as a positive springboard from which Cardiff can launch the second half of their campaign.

And the emergence of Ashford, Riza will also hope, almost feels like Cardiff have a new signing for the back end of the season. On this showing at Bramall Lane, it looks like the 20-year-old, who has four goal involvements in his last five first-team matches, could have a very big role to play in the coming months.

The Bluebirds started the tie with real vim and vigour and, in truth, should have been ahead early on. Kion Etete, starting his first senior match of the campaign, had two golden opportunities inside the first seven minutes but the ring-rust was evident in how he tried to finish the chances.

Rubin Colwill sent in a peach of an early cross straight on to the striker's head and despite turning a decent header on goal, 'keeper Adam Davies comfortably saved to his right. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.

That bright spark Ashford was the architect of the second. The winger spun his defender 40 yards from goal with a lovely flick and drove strongly towards the area before playing in Colwill. Colwill, in turn, lay the ball into Etete's path and, just 15 yards from goal, the centre-forward slotted his effort wide.

The Blades looked totally disjointed, on the other hand. A mix-up between Jamal Baptiste and Davies almost saw the former poke the ball into his own net at one stage.

But it was Ashford who broke the deadlock and he did so brilliantly. The Bluebirds academy product showed strength to knock Rhys Norrington-Davies off the ball before he strode on goal from distance. He did well to shrug off Blades skipper Norrington-Davies before he picked his spot and drilled it past Davies at the near post. He's in some form, the Rhondda boy.

The Blades fired off a few shots from range, but largely the Bluebirds were untroubled and went in at half time by far the happier of the two sides.

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The hosts came out brightly in the second half, though, clearly having been given a rocket by Chris Wilder at the break, and looked far more dangerous. Ryan One had one low shot saved well by Ethan Horvath not long after the restart.

Cardiff had some openings of their own, though. Ashford continued to look dangerous and continued to cause Davies issues. One chance with 20 minutes to go saw the Cardiff scorer chop in from the left and send a bending effort on goal from 25 yards, forcing the Blades stopper to fly to his left and save.

Cardiff did have to survive a late scare. Just two minutes were left to play when Harrison Burrows chopped in from the left flank and sent a wonderful effort bending around Horvath - but it couldn't curl inside the post as it cannoned off the upright and away from danger.

Sheffield United XI: A. Davies; Gilchrist (Colechin 89), Baptiste, Norrington-Davies (Robinson 57), Burrows; Blacker, Brooks; Marsh (Hampson 81), Brewster, McCallum; One.

Subs: Faxon, Hamer, O’Hare, Ahmedhodzic, Boyes, Aston.

Cardiff City XI: Horvath; Kpakio (T. Davies 46), Fish, Daland, Bagan; Ralls, Ng (Rinomhota 76); Tanner, Colwill (Robertson 63), Ashford (Siopis 76); Etete (Pearce 46).

Subs: Turner, Giles, Willock, Jefferies.